Masks through users supply chain: leadership by excellence
The quality of lithographic photomasks for chipmaking is critical to the performance and success of the semiconductor industry. The MEDEA+ MUSCLE project has therefore undertaken to reduce the cost of ownership and cycle times while maximising quality of the advanced photomasks. It will achieve this by improving standardisation and automation of the photomask supply chain. It is focusing particularly on mask data flow, photomask carrier, photomask defect characterisation and photomask data handling. Success of the project will ensure European photomask shops stay competitive and European chipmakers keep their lead in application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) prototyping and manufacturing.
Other MUSCLE partners are: Alcatel Vacuum, Altis Semiconductor, AMTC, ASML, Atmel, Carl Zeiss, CEA-LETI, De Clercq Engineering, DMS, DNP, Entegris, IMEC, Infineon Technologies, Nikon, Philips, Photronics, Qimonda, Schott Lithotec, STMicroelectronics, Toppan Photomasks, VISTEC Semiconductor Systems.
